The
cruise departs from and returns to: Athens, Greece:Capital
of Greece, cradle of democracy, birthplace of Western Civilization - Athens
is a vibrant city where the ancient and the modern co-exist. The majestic
Acropolis with Parthenon rises above the city, its ancient glory still
visible in the timeworn stone, and the National Archaeological Museum
holds countless treasures from Athens' Golden Age.

Istanbul,
Turkey:As
you approach Istanbul from the sea, the graceful minarets of countless
mosques appear on the horizon and the Islamic call to prayer carries over
the water. Istanbul's blend of East and West has resulted in some of the
most magnificent architecture in the world, including the Agia Sophia
and the Blue Mosque.

The amazing city of Istanbul

At the Topkapi museum,
formerly the Sultan's palace, the treasures of the Ottoman empire are on view.
You can also bargain for your own treasures in one of the Grand Bazaar's 5,000
shops.

Ancient Ephessos in Kusadasi

Kusadasi
(Ephessos), Turkey:A
tour to nearby Ephessos should not be missed, for here history truly comes
to life. Walking towards the ancient harbor, down a marble road rutted
by the wheels of countless chariots, you pass architectural masterpieces
like the Magnesian Gate and the Library of Celsus before arriving at the
Great Amphitheater where St. Paul was arrested and cast out of the city.

Patmos,
Greece:This
island is known as the site of the apocalyptic Revelations of St. John
the Divine, written here during his exile from the Roman Empire. The cave
where he lived is now the site of the Monastery of the Apocalypse. The
Monastery of St. John, built on one of the island's highest points, houses
priceless icons and manuscripts in its Treasury.

The Monastery of St. John
in Patmos

The picturesque port and windmills of Mykonos

Mykonos,
Greece:This
cosmopolitan and picturesque island is well known for its graphic paved
streets with hundreds of boutiques and Cycladic art shops. Beneath the
sophisticated surface of Mykonos lies a quintessential Greek Island. Hundreds
of tiny chapels dot the island and sheep graze in the shadow of white-washed
windmills. Find a table on the waterfront and bask in the serenity of
sunset over the picturesque harbor.

Rhodes,
Greece:The
beautiful "Island of Roses" has a rich and varied history. On a hill above
the charming town of Lindos rises an ancient acropolis dedicated to the
goddess Athena. Below lies the bay of St. Paul, where the apostle landed
during his voyages. The crusading Knights of St. John left the medieval
city of Rhodes behind when they were defeated by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent.
The Turks then occupied Rhodes for almost 400 years leaving mosques, minarets
and a Turkish bath to mark their presence.

The beautiful port of Rhodes

The palace of Knossos

Heraklion
(Crete), Greece:Heraklion,
the capital of Crete island and its principal commercial port, is just
three miles away from the amazing ruins of the Palace of Knossos. Discovered
in 1899 by Sir Arthur Evans and partially reconstructed, the elaborate
Palace is believed to be the mythical Labyrinth of King Minos and the
seat of ancient Minoan culture. The Archaeological Museum in Heraklion
displays many of the treasures found during the excavations.

Santorini,
Greece:The
island of Santorini is perhaps the most breathtaking and beautiful of
all the Greek Islands - it is the ideal place for enjoying the most romantic
sunsets. The town of Thera's white-washed houses, narrow streets, open-air
cafes and glittering boutiques cling to steep cliff, accessible by cable-car
or donkey. To the south is Akrotiri, where recent Minoan excavations support
the theories that Santorini might be the fabled lost continent of Atlantis.